Fuel-line system for an internal-combustion engine



March 18, 1969 J. EPIFANIO, SR 3,433,608

FUEL-LINE SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Fi led Oct. 21, 1965 [NVE TOR. Z6 Jase/ Jpn ana'ad'n AT TORN EY United States Patent 3,433,608 FUEL-LINE SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL- COMBUSTION ENGINE Joseph Epifanio, Sr., Box 70, Paulsboro, NJ. 08066 Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 499,803 U.S. Cl. 48-180 2 Claims Int. Cl. F0211: 21/04 This invention relates generally to fuel-supply systems for internal-combustion engines, and is particularly directed to such a system as supplies relatively rich fuel vapor directly from a fuel tank to an internal-combustion engine. The device of the instant application is of the general type disclosed in my prior U.S. Patent No. 2,844,364.

While the device of said prior patent is satisfactory in all respects, the apparatus of the instant invention even further improves the fuel economy by intimately mixing the fuel vapors from the upper region of the fuel tank with air, so as to provide a more ideally combustible mixture and prevent overrichness of the mixture.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a fuel-supply system of the type described wherein a conduit for receiving fuel vapors from the upper region of a fuel tank enters laterally through the fill neck of the fuel tank, which effectively draws fuel vapors away from the fuel surface to enhance fuel-vapor formation.

It is still another object of the present invention to pro vide a fuel system for internal-combustion engines having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is extremely simple in construction, durable and reliable throughout a long useful life, and which can be economically manufactured and installed for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevational view showing a fuel tank and the fuel-supply system of the present invention associated with the tank;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, partial sectional elevational view similar to FIGURE 1, but illustrating the fuel system in greater detail;

FIGURE 3 is a partial bottom plan view taken generally along the line 33 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 44 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURE 1 thereof, a hollow fuel tank is there generally designated and adapted to contain a quantity of liquid fuel 11, such as gasoline or the like. An upstanding tube or filler neck 12 is provided on the upper side or top wall 13 of the tank 10 and communicates between the interior and exterior of the tank. Threadedly engaged, or otherwise secured over the upper end of the filler neck 12 is a removable or detachable closure or cap 14. The closure cap 14 of the instant invention need not be vented, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

While the level of liquid fuel 11 is illustrated as being below that of the top wall 13, which is a common operating condition, it is appreciated that upon filling of the tank the liquid-fuel level may rise above that of top wall 13 into neck 12.

A conventional fuel-supply conduit 15 may be connected to a lower region of the tank 10, and extend thence 3,433,608 Patented Mar. 18, 1969 I ce to an internal-combustion engine (not shown), say the carburetor thereof.

A conduit or tubular structure, generally designated 20, in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention has one end connected to the intake manifold (not shown) of the internal-combustion engine, and the other end of conduit 20 is connected to the tank 10. More specifically, the end portion 21 of conduit 20 extends laterally inward through a wall portion of filler neck or tube 12, adjacent to an upper region thereof, and may be configured internally of the filler neck to open generally downward, as by an obliquely cut end 22. The end portion 21 of conduit 20 may extend slidably through the side of filler neck 12 for ease in installation, and for adjustment to a desired position diametrically across the filler neck.

The conduit end portion 21 is telescopically received in an adjacent section 23 having its end region 24 remote from conduit portion 21 configured to define a reducing nozzle or venturi orifice. The conduit portion or section 23 is telescopically engaged in an additional conduit section 25, the venturi orifice 24 being received in the section 25, and the latter section being formed with a downwardly opening auxiliary inlet or nipple 26a. The end of conduit section 25 is, in turn, telescopically engaged in an additional section 26 of the conduit 20, for connection to the intake manifold of an internal-combustion engine.

The telescopic construction of conduit 20 facilitates installation on existing vehicles, and further advantageously provides for adjustment of the conduit end 22 diametrically across the filler neck 12, as well as adjustment of the venturi orifice 24 toward and away from the auxiliary inlet 26a of the conduit section 25. Thus, the lowpressure discharge region of orifice 24 may be selectively adjusted toward and away from the auxiliary inlet 26a, for a purpose appearing presently.

During operation of the internal-combustion engine, to which conduit 20 is connected, the manifold vacuum will be applied through conduit 20 and fill neck 12 to the interior of tank 10 above the surface of liquid fuel 11. The fuel vapors are thereby drawn into the conduit end 22 and through the conduit 20 toward the intake manifold. A region of relatively low pressure and high velocity of the fuel vapors through the conduit 20 is located just downstream of the venturi orifice 24. Associated with this low-pressure region is the auxiliary intake 26a which opens to the ambient atmosphere for drawing air into intimate intermixture with the relatively rapidly moving fuel vapor. This intermixture of vapor and-air assures the deliver-y of a more uniform mixture to the engine cylinders, and avoids the possibility of an overrich mixture. The quantity of air drawn in through auxiliary outlet 26a, in relation to the quantity of vapor passing through orifice 24 may be adjusted by telescopic movement of the conduit sections 23 and 25 to move the orifice toward and away from the inlet.

Also, it will be appreciated that a vent path is defined from the tank 10 through filler neck 12, conduit sections 21, 23 and 25, and out through nipple 26a, so that conventional fuel-tank vent means may be eliminated.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a fuel-supply system for an internal-combustion engine which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, installation, maintenance and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fuel-line system for an internal-combustion engine and a liquid-fuel-holding tank having an upstanding fill neck, said system comprising a conduit having one end adapted for connection to the intake manifold of an internal-ocmbustion engine, the other end of said conduit passing laterally into said filler neck for communication with the interior thereof, a venturi orifice in said conduit to produce a relatively low-pressure region downstream of said orifice, and an auxiliary inlet carried by said conduit communicating between the ambient atmosphere and the low-pressure conduit region for drawing the air into said conduit in intimate mixture with said vapor, said conduit being telescopic for extension of said other conduit end a selected distance into said neck.

2. A fuel-line system for an internal-combustion englue and a liquid-fuel-holding tank having an upstanding fill neck, said system comprising a conduit having one end adapted for connection to the intake manifold of an internal-combustion engine, the other end of said conduit passing laterally into said filler neck for communication with References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1945 Foster 48--l80 7/1958 Epifanio et a1 261-119 MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary Examiner.

M. D. BURNS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

1. A FUEL-LINE SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE AND A LIQUID-FUEL-HOLDING TANK HAVING A UPSTANDING FILL NECK, SAID SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONDUIT HAVING ONE END ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF AN INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE, THE OTHER END OF SAID CONDUIT PASSING LATERALLY INTO SAID DILLER NECK FOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR THEREOF, A VENTURI ORIFICE IN SAID CONDUIT TO PRODUCE A RELATIVELY LOW-PRESSURE REGION DOWNSTREAM OF SAID ORIFICE, AND AN AUXILIARY INLET CARRIED BY SAID CONDUIT COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE AMBIENT ATMOSPHERE AND THE LOW-PRESSURE CONDUIT REGION FOR DRAWING THE AIR INTO SAID CONDUIT IN INTIMATE MISTURE WITH SAID VAPOR, SAID CONDUIT, BEING TELESCOPIC FOR EXTENSION OF SAID OTHER CONDUIT END A SELECTED DISTANCE INTO SAID NECK. 